President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for Nigerian Air Force personnel who died in Monday’s military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

The President also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect for the deceased officers. The crash involved a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft that went down near the Naval Base in Igbokoda while on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos.

According to the Presidency, the aircraft had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board, bringing the total number of people aboard to 32. The aircraft, with tail number NGR 931, disappeared from air traffic control radar at about 9:13 a.m. before the wreckage was located near the naval facility.

Tinubu expressed condolences to the families of those involved in the crash, as well as the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.

“This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation,” the President said, describing the sacrifice of Air Force personnel as one that would not be forgotten.

Tinubu also directed the Nigerian Air Force to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with the aim of preventing a recurrence. He commended the military, first responders and the Ondo State Government for their response to the incident.

The Nigerian Air Force had earlier activated a search-and-rescue operation following the crash, while authorities worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. The identities of the deceased personnel are expected to be released after their families have been formally contacted.